9:08pm Saturday 20th March 2010
ARSENAL showed the spirit of champions to overcome the dismissal of defender Thomas Vermaelen as they battled back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with victory over struggling West Ham.
Brazilian midfielder Denilson fired the Gunners in front after only five minutes as Arsene Wenger's men looked to leapfrog Manchester United and Chelsea, who do not play until tomorrow.
Vermaelen was then deemed to have been the last man when he pulled down Guillermo Franco, and was shown a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson.
However, Manuel Almunia saved Alessandro Diamanti's penalty and captain Cesc Fabregas - back from a injury lay-off - made it 2-0 with nine minutes left from the same spot following a handball by Matthew Upson.
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